Bariatric sleeve

Abstract

Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve. When implanted within the intestine, the sleeve can limit the absorption of nutrients, delay the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes, altering hormonal triggers, providing negative feedback, and combinations thereof. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A delivery system for placing a gastrointestinal implant device comprising:
 the gastrointestinal implant device including an anchor and a sleeve that extends from the anchor, the sleeve being an unsupported flexible sleeve; 
 an outer sheath storing the anchor; 
 an inner shaft within the outer sheath and extending distally beyond the outer sheath; 
 a sleeve release mechanism that releasably retains the sleeve near a distal end of the inner shaft as the anchor is stored within the outer sheath; and 
 an anchor release mechanism to release the anchor from the outer sheath. 
 
     
     
       2. The delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising an atraumatic element coupled to a distal tip of the inner shaft. 
     
     
       3. The delivery system of  claim 2  wherein the atraumatic element is a spherical ball. 
     
     
       4. The delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising a ball coupled to a distal tip of the inner shaft. 
     
     
       5. The delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising a retention wire extending through the inner shaft and out of the inner shaft about the sleeve to releasably retain the sleeve on the inner shaft. 
     
     
       6. The delivery system of  claim 5  wherein the retention wire extends through the sleeve and back into the inner shaft, and the sleeve is released by pulling the retention wire back from the sleeve. 
     
     
       7. The delivery system of  claim 6  wherein the retention wire extends through a first hole in the inner shaft, through the sleeve, and back through a second hole in the inner shaft. 
     
     
       8. The delivery system of  claim 5  wherein the retention wire is a snare wire that forms a loop around a portion of the sleeve, and the sleeve is released by pushing the retention wire distally. 
     
     
       9. A delivery system for placing a gastrointestinal implant device comprising:
 the gastrointestinal implant device, including an anchor and a sleeve that extends from the anchor, the sleeve being conformable to collapse in the intestine to a small volume, and the sleeve extending at least about 1.5 feet beyond the anchor; 
 an outer sheath storing the anchor; 
 an inner shaft within the outer sheath and extending distally beyond the outer sheath; 
 a sleeve release mechanism that releasably retains a distal end of the sleeve near a distal end of the inner shaft as the anchor is stored within the outer sheath and the sleeve extends from the anchor and from the outer sheath; and 
 an anchor release mechanism to release the anchor from the outer sheath. 
 
     
     
       10. The delivery system of  claim 9  further comprising an atraumatic element coupled to a distal tip of the inner shaft. 
     
     
       11. The delivery system of  claim 10  wherein the atraumatic element is a spherical ball. 
     
     
       12. The delivery system of  claim 9  further comprising a ball coupled to a distal tip of the inner shaft. 
     
     
       13. The delivery system of  claim 9  further comprising a retention wire extending through the inner shaft and out of the inner shaft about the sleeve to releasably retain the sleeve on the inner shaft. 
     
     
       14. The delivery system of  claim 13  wherein the retention wire extends through the sleeve and back into the inner shaft, and the sleeve is released by pulling the retention wire back from the sleeve. 
     
     
       15. The delivery system of  claim 14  wherein the retention wire extends through a first hole in the inner shaft, through the sleeve, and back through a second hole in the inner shaft. 
     
     
       16. The delivery system of  claim 13  wherein the retention wire is a snare wire that forms a loop around a portion of the sleeve, and the sleeve is released by pushing the retention wire distally.